Keep Your Hair On Fellas!

For some - losing hair and going bald in spots and patches is as distressing as finding out you have a terminal health condition. For others - it is simply a transitional point into an alternative fashion statement which is often worn without concern. Regardless of what the response choices are for people (usually male) who lose their hair - there may be some underlying causes that can be managed, slowed and in some cases related to other more important health outcomes.

Alopecia is the term used to describe a number of hair loss conditions that affect both men and women. In some cases the causative factors are similar but in male pattern hair loss (Androgenic/genetic Alopecia) the causes are more specifically related to hormone production and metabolism which are often worsened by nutritional deficiencies and stress responses.

Hair cells are like any other cell - they are sensitive to stress caused by environmental factors and can wind up with faults within their genetic makeup that lead to a weakening of the hair structures at the point of attachment to the head. It is common to lose around 100 hairs a day before it is classed as a clinical problem however the thinning of hair over the head may be an early sign that things are heading south literally!

Here are a list of possible nutritional deficiencies/excesses/conditions that should not be overlooked for hair loss:

Iron, zinc, B12 and Folate deficiency

Vitamin A excess (usually from mult vitamin or prescription Vitamin A for skin)

Blood sugar irregularities leading to diabetes

Thyroid hormone irregularities

Faulty testosterone metabolism and oestrogen production (4 and 16 hydroxy oestrogen in particular)

Most of these circumstances are able to be managed with dietary changes, salivary tests and then adjustments and a re thinking of the diet. Others (the more rare conditions) take a bit more work, but much CAN be done to slow this condition down and in some cases, turn it around. I also suggest stimulating the scalp with regular massage using rosemary and peppermint oil in a diluted base of Vitamin E or Wheatgerm/Jojoba oil. Dermal tapping over the scalp, inverted yoga poses (head down) and cool/warm water therapy may also produce a thicker coverage for some.

If there is a possibility that hormonal irregularities are apparent, it is very important to address these not only for the purpose of managing hair loss, but also reproductive health (primarily the prostate) as the oestrogens mentioned above are implicated in some more progressive conditions.

Remember: Just because your grandfather, uncle or father experienced hair loss, it doesn't always mean you will too. Look at the lifestyle factors you were handed down from them as well as their genetics and change, change, change!

As a naturopath I believe that patients are looking for empathy, results oriented and achievable health advice as well as consideration for the family budget when it comes to supplement and remedy selection.Nicky Wood -Gold Coast Naturopath